St Levan
OS grid ref:- SW 3822
Known in Cornish as Sen Selevan, the pleasant village of St. Levan, lies to the east of Sennen Cove and around seven miles from Penzance
In the past the village derived its income from shell fishing,. The granite Parish Church of St. Selevan is home to the St Levan’s Stone, which lies at the south side of the church near to the porch. Legend records the stone was used by the saint as a seat. He is said to have broken it in two with his staff, he prayed over the rock while uttering the following prophecy:-
"When with panniers astrideA pack horse can ride
Through St Levan stone
The world will be done"
In pre-Christian times, the stone was venerated for its powers and particularly in connection with fertility rites.
There were once at least six Celtic crosses in the churchyard. Two of which remain today, the first of these, which measures six feet eleven inches in height is situated to the right of the path leading to the south porch. A second cross may be seen in the churchyard wall, beside the corner entrance stile.
The first church to occupy the site was constructed in the ninth or tenth century and it is certain that the present church stands on the site of the place where St Levan created a centre of Christianity. The present building, which dates back to the twelfth century, was enlarged in the fifteenth century, it contains a Norman font and a medieval holy water stoup. The bench ends contain some unusual and interesting designs, one depicts two fish, apparently on one hook, recalling one of the legends of St Levan.
St Levan has pre-Christian holy well, (pictured above) which is one of the most spectacularly placed in Cornwall. As with many of the holy wells of Cornwall, its water is reputed to have healing powers and is still used in the Church for baptisms. The water was believed to cure toothache and eye diseases, while it was claimed that sleeping at the well increased the chances of a cure. The Holy Well of St Levan and the Baptistery lie beside the footpath leading to Porth Chapel Beach. The well can be reached via a flight of granite steps.
Image copyright Jim Champion
Towns and Villages in Cornwall